Who doesn’t love a fine glass of wine after a long hard day? Get between me and my morning coffee, I’ll kill you. If you smoke, the damage to your teeth can be obvious — and the stains may last long after you quit.
Life happens. Between coffee, wine, and cigarettes, our lifestyles can stain our teeth, causing discoloration that regular brushing and dental checkups can’t remove.
Have you considered teeth whitening?
At our dentist office in Middleburg Heights, we offer $60 at-home teeth whitening kits. They do wonders — our patients achieve truly dazzling results and beautiful smiles. Contact our office for more info, or ask us about teeth whitening kits at your next dental checkup.
But did you know the food you eat can also whiten your teeth? If you are looking to improve the whiteness and beauty of your smile, brush your teeth often, get regular dental checkups, and eat healthy food. Here are 5 tasty foods that naturally whiten teeth.
Natural Teeth Whitener #1: Strawberries
Sure, they’ll stain your shirt, but strawberries are great for whitening teeth. That’s because they contain an enzyme called malic acid — a natural astringent which makes teeth whiter by removing tooth surface discoloration. Strawberries make a healthy snack, a satisfying dessert, and a tasty way to give a salad some zing. In fact, some dentists even recommend mashing up a strawberry and putting it on your toothbrush to whiten your teeth. Why not?
Natural Teeth Whitener #2: Broccoli & Cauliflower
The florets of both broccoli and cauliflower work like a natural toothbrush, getting into the nooks and crannies to clean your teeth. The beauty of these vegetables is they require lots of chewing. This encourages saliva production to naturally clean your teeth. These veggies are also rich in iron, which coats your teeth and protects them from harmful bacteria, acid damage, and stains. As dentists, we’d recommend eating broccoli raw, either as a healthy snack or on salad.
Natural Teeth Whitener #3: Yogurt, Milk, & Cheese
Dairy products are great for teeth. They contain lactic acid which protects tooth enamel from decay. Dairy also contains the enamel-fortifying mineral calcium, which strengthens teeth while also whitening them. Yogurt is rich in proteins that bind to teeth and protect against harmful acids that cause tooth decay. Hard cheeses naturally clean and whiten teeth, removing food particles and cleaning enamel. Chewing cheese also increases saliva production, which naturally cleanses teeth.
Natural Teeth Whitener #4: Oranges & Pineapples
The beauty of these fruits is they are tart, which increases the salvia in your mouth and naturally washes your teeth. Orange peel in particular is very healthy for teeth because it contains vitamin C variants that naturally whiten teeth. Wash the peel thoroughly and rub the white, inner part across the surface of your teeth to minimize plaque and tartar buildup.
Not all fruits are great for teeth, however. Don’t use lemons directly on the teeth. Their high acidity can damage your enamel.
Natural Teeth Whitener #5: Water
Okay, it’s not food, but water is good for you and great for teeth. Water not only keeps you hydrated but also actively whitens your teeth and prevents the formation of stains on your enamel. Drink water throughout the day and with your meals, especially when you eat pigment-rich foods. Water also naturally increases saliva production, which bathes your teeth.
Sparkling or still? As dentists, we’d recommend drinking water straight from the tap. Sparkling water actually increases the likelihood of tooth erosion. Water from the tap is more likely to contain fluoride, which protects your teeth against cavities and remineralizes tooth enamel.
